No.1 Line tracks: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Enjoy the views of the Pohangina Valley from the end of No.1 Line or shorter Trig Loop Track.

This DOC directory entry covers No.1 Line tracks in Manawatu-Whanganui, within Ruahine Forest Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 4.3 km return return via same track
• Walking time: 2 - 3 hr return
• DOC grade: Advanced

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

Dog access

Dogs with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes only. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

No. 1 Line Track to View Point

The track heads into forest immediately behind the carpark and consists of a series of steepish climbs interspersed with a few level sections to get your breath back. Not far from the beginning is a huge rimu and a bit further on a large rata. As the track climbs higher up the ridge, lovely views out to the west are frequent. Just before the main track finishes there is a wonderful lookout giving views up to the main range and back out towards the coast.

Trig Loop Track (30 minutes, 815 m)

Enjoy the walk from the carpark, past the giant rimu to the large rata. Here, a track splits off from the main track to wind up the slope behind the rata to a trig at the park boundary, with a nice view across the farmland. Cross into private land and follow the track back to the carpark.

Getting there

Head towards Pohangina from Ashhurst and turn right onto Pohangina Valley East Road. Follow this past Awahou School and then turn right onto No.1 Line Road and continue along this gravel road to the carpark at the end.

Know before you go

No.1 Line Road stops short of the park boundary so it is necessary to cross private property. Westview Farming Partnership owns Songbird Gardens, which adjoins the Ruahine Forest Park.

The No. 1 Line tracks' access way, car park area and part of the trig loop track are available to the public thanks to their generosity.

Very occasionally stock may be in grazing in the car park area. Be aware that stock may cause damage to vehicles.

Nature and conservation

The rata and kamahi forest that once thrived in this southern area of the park has been severely damaged over the years by possums. Introduced as early as the 1890’s, their chomping, in combination with high winds, heavy rains and slips, contributed to a major forest collapse by the 1950’s. Today the forest has more horopito, rangiora, bush lawyer and toetoe - all species possums don’t favour. Recreational hunting is one of the main forms of animal control in this area today.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.